Ingot stripper



May 27, 1930.

E. J. GEORGE INGOT STRIPPER 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 19, 1928 y 7, 1930. E. J. GEORGE I 1,760,054

INGO'I STRIPPER Filed July 19, 1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Zlvwcntoz Q P I I 620236 E. .1. GEORGE INGOT STRIPPER Filed July 19, 1928 lll lill ll y, O M m, 0

May 27, 1930.

E. J. GEORGE INGOT STRIPPER May 27, 1930.

7 Sheets-Shet 4 Filed July 19, 1928 I Geqzye aaWfi.

y 1930- E. J. GEORGE 1,760,054

INGOT STRIPPER Filed July 19, 1928 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Elm manic;

geozye 61cm new 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 gwwwt'o $602576 Gwen n14 May 27, 1930.

E. J. GEORGE INGOT STRIPPER Filed July 19, 1928 Patented May 27, 1 930 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE ELGY J. GEORGE, OF GARY, INDIANA, ASSIGNQR OF ONE-HALF TO OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND CASGA 2r. ROWLAND,

IN GOT STRIPPER Application filed Jul 19,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ingot strippers, the primary object being to eliminate the use of objectionable hoisting cables which are continually requiring adjusting and attention to make them function properly, and to utilize in lieu thereof a novel construction of device, which needs no adjusting or attention from time to time, thus eliminating the usual hazard incident thereto, whereby power may be positively applied in raising and lowering the stripper mechanism per se, and whereby other power may be utilized at the same time to independently actuate said mechanism to strip the mould from an ingot.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the usual multiplicity of power controls to a minimum, that is to say, one for raising and lowering the stripper mechanism, one for actuating the stripper mechanism and its component parts, one for moving the crane bridge backward and forward, and one for propelling the trolley carriage in opposite clirection across the bridge.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a stripping mechanism embodying safety means whereby the various working parts are prevented from jamming and possibly breaking should the operator negligently, carelessly or inadvertently fail to shut 01f the power after the stripper mechanism has;

been returned to its normal or inoperative position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is of simple and comparatively inexpensive construction, and which is so designed that considerable saving of time may be effected in the operation of stripping ingots as well as a material saving of labor in its operation.

With these and other objects in View, the invention comprises the various other novel features of construction, combination and 4 arrangement of parts as will be more par- "line 33 of 1923. Serial in. 293,933.

ticularly described hereinafter and setforth in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved ingot stripppr.

' Figure 2 1s a sectional elevation taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 3 is a similar view taken on the Figure 1 looking in the direction of thearrow.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the trolley carriage showing the power actuating mechanism.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the stripper-head showing the mould grasping arms in inoperative or nor-" mal position.

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the mould grasping arms engaged with the ingot mould, and the various parts of the stripperhead arranged in position whereby a further actuation of them will strip the mould from the ingot.

Figure 7 is a similar view showing the safety mechanism in actuated position.

'Iqgure 8 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

, Figure 9 is a similar view taken on the line 9+9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a similar view taken on the line 10 10 of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a similar view taken on the line 11 11 of Figure 7 and,

Figure 12 is a similar view taken on the line 1212 of Figure 7.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate like parts, the numeral 1 indicates a traveling crane bridge which is mounted in'the usual manner upon a suitable runway or track 2, and is adapted to, be propelled backward and forward by any suitable power means, such as an electric motor.

3 designates the frame of a trolley carriage, which is mounted for movement backward and forward transversely of the traveling crane bridge by any desired power means, such as an electric motor. The trolley carriage is supported for movement by flanged wheels 4 that travel on tracks 5 mounted onmovement of the stripper mechanism and the other for the vertical movement of a counterbalanceweight 9, the purpose of which will be set forth hereinafter. 1

The stripper mechanism comprises a stripper-head 12 mounted for vertical sliding movement in the part 10 of the casing 8. The stripper-head ly disposed central portion 13 which is formed with a vertical central opening 14, the

upper portion 15 of which is somewhat smaller in diameter than the lower portion and is adapted to receive an internally righthand threaded bushing 16, having at its lower end an outwardly extending flange 17 normally bearing against the shoulder 18 formed by the reduced diameter of the upper portion 0 the central opening 14. This flange is formed with diametrically disposed gibs 17A, that extend into vertically disposed grooves 21, hereafter more fully described, and serve to prevent the bushing 17 from rotating under operating conditions. The upper end of the bushing extends up above the top of the central portion. 13 and is provided with external threads for the reception of a retaining nut, 19, and a lock nut 20, whereby the bushing may be rigidly secured within the upper portion of the stripper-head.

The vertically disposed grooves 21, substantially rectangular in cross section are formed in the side walls of the opening 14 and extend throughout its length. Cam shoulders 22 carried on opposite sides of an internally left-hand threaded cylindrical block 23 slidably mounted within this opening 14, extend into these grooves, and serve not only to prevent rotation of the block but also to actuate the cam pins 24 formed with heads 25. The upper portion of the block on opposite sides is formed with grooves 26 which register with the grooves 21. It is to be noted that the inner bottom portions of the grooves 26 curve downwardly and outwardly to meet the upper ends of the cam shoulders 22 and thus form a surface possessing a compound curvature over which the inembodies an enlarged verticaling 14, the heads 25 not only serving to limit the inward sliding movement but also serve to provide substantial bearing surfaces adapted to engage and coact with the rounded portions 27 of gravity operated mould grasping arms 28 pivotally connected as at 29 to lugs 30 extending laterally from opposite sides of the stripper-head. These mould grasping arms may be of any practical design for the purpose int-ended, however, in this instance I have shown them as each comprising a pair of spaced parallel bars connected together at their upper ends by the rounded portion 27 and at their lower inwardly curved ends b a cross bar 31, which is adapted to engage lieneath the grips 32 of the ingot mould 33. Each pair of arms carries aweight 34, whereby when the cam block 23 is moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 5.,the cam pins 24 will ride inwardly and the arms 28 swing downwardly into engagement with the grips 32 of the mould.

Referring'more particularly to Fi ures 5, 6, and 7, it will be seen that the threa ed opening in the cam block 23 extends downwardly from the top to a point adjacent to the f lower closed end 35 of the block. A push rod 36 is slidably mounted through a stuffing box 37 arranged centrally of the bottom cover plate 38 which is securely fastened to the bot-- tom of the vertical portion 13 of the stripperhead to close and seal this opening 14. The lower end of the push rod is provided with a detachable head 39, adapted to engage the ingot as shown in Figure 6, while the upper end is formed with a head-plate 4O rigidly secured to the bottom of the cylindrical block 23 by screw bolts 41.

42 designates a power driven actuating screw formed with right-hand threads 43 onits. upper portion for engagement with the corresponding threads of the bushing 16, and with left hand threads 44 on its lower portion for engagement with the corresponding threads of the cylindrical block 23, each set of threads extending throughout 'approxi-' mately half the length of the screw. The upper end of the screw is formed with a reduced squared end 45 over which is rigidly secured the lower end of a cylindrical sleeve 46. The squared opening in the sleeve ex. tends upwardly from the bottom thereof for a distance of approximately two-thirds of the length of the sleeve and there terminates in a circular opening 47, extending upwardly to the top of the sleeve. The diameter of this circular opening is slightly larger than that ofthe squared opening for a purpose which will presently appear.

' 48 designates a square power driven shaft,

the lower end of which normally extends downwardly into the squared opening in the sleeve 46 until it rests upon the upper squared end-45 of the actuating screw 42, where it is secured in position to rotate with the screw 42 through the medium of a malleable or comparatively soft metal pin 49 which extends transversely through it and the sleeve 46. A safety rod'50 is slidably mounted within a central opening 51 extending entirely through the actuating screw 42, so that normally, as shown in Fig. 5, the lower end of the rod rests on the bottom part 35 of the cylindrical block 23,.and the upper end in a plane slightly below the lower end of the s uared shaft 48 for the purposewhich also Wlll presently appear.

In order to exclude dust and dirt from the upper end of the bushing 16, I utilize a cylindrical bottle shaped dust cap 52 which consists of two halves bolted together. The

upper neck portion thereof is formed with an inwardly extending circular flange 53 that rests within a circumferential groove 54 of the collar 55 slidably mounted on the squared power shaft 48 to rotate with it. The bottom portion is formed with the circumferential flange 56 which rests upon the upper end of the bushing 16 and supports the bottom edge of the dust cap within the bushing, whereby it is held securely in place.

An appropriate amount of oil, as indicated at 57 is placed within the lower portion of the opening 14, which is forced upwardly through suitable openings in and around the block 23, by the vertical movement of the latter thus thoroughly lubricatin all moving parts.

il3y reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 it will be noted the lateral and transverse dimensions of the stripper-head are such that it may be lowered and raised freely within the' part 10 of thecasing 8 and yet at the same time the casing will serve to prevent lateral swinging movement under operating conditions Vertical and parallel guide bars 58 are secured to the inside of the casing 8 to provide guides for the reception of the opposite sides of the stripper-head.

59 designates a pair of rack bars, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to the upper side portions of the stripper-head as at 60, while the upper portions extend upwardly through the trolley carriage into engagement with pinions 61 of the power actuating mechanism arranged u on the trolley carriage. These pinions are xed on horizontal and parallel disposed shafts 62 mounted in bearings 63, 64 and 65. Flanged pressure rollers 66 are rotatably mounted on stub shafts 67 also mounted in the bearings 64. These rollers embrace and bear against the outer faces of the rack bars 59 and serve to hold and maintain the rack bars in engagement with the pinions 61, and at the same time prevent lateral swinging movement of the rack bars. The upper ends of the rack bars are formed with cross-heads 59" which are adapted to limit the downward movement of the rack bars.

Gears 68 are fixed on the shafts 62 between the bearing 63 and mesh with intermeshing pinions 69 and 70 mounted respectively on the stub shaft 71 and a power shaft 72, supported in the bearings 63, all of said gears being arranged in transverse alignment to form a train of gears between the bearings 63. '73 indicates a suitable electric motor geared to the power shaft 72 through a pair of gears arranged within the housing 74.

Thus it will be apparent that by the actuation of the motor 73, the rack bars 59 can be raised and lowered to raise and lower the stripper-head 12 Within the part 10 of the casing 8 as desired.

Mounted on the opposite ends of the shafts 62 are pinions 75 meshing with gears 76 fixed on the outer ends of short shafts 77 arranged in spaced bearings 78. A pinion 79 is fixed on each shaft 77 between the spaced bearings 7 8 and meshes witha vertically disposed rack bar 80 having at its upper end a cross-head 81 to limit its downward movement and at its lower end a pivotal connection with the counterbalance weight 9- as at 82, the counterbalance weight being arranged for vertical movement within the part 11 of the casing'8 as heretofore mentioned.

Flanged pressure rollers 83 are rotatably mounted on stub shafts 84 supported in and between the bearings 78 so that they will bear against and embrace the outer faces of the rack bars 80 and serve to hold and maintain the rack bars in mesh with the pinions 79 under all operating conditions.- The flanges of the rollers 83, like those of the rollers 66 operate to prevent lateral swinging movement of the rack bars} Vertical guide strips 85 are secured to the opposite inner faces of the casing 8 and serve to prevent lateral swinging movement of the counterbalance weight.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the stripper-head 12 is lowered through the operation of the motor 73, the counterbalance weight 9 will rise, thus by virtue of the gearing as described, the vertical move ment of the stripper-head will at all times be so counterbalanced that it .will require only a minimum amount of power to operate it.

Furthermore, it will appear that the ratioof the two gear operating mechanisms is such that the vertical movement of the counterbalance weight is about one-third that of the stripper-head 12 so that it will be confined to the smallest practicable operating s ace.

While the stripper-head 12 is a apted to tuated by a be lowered and raised through the medium of the motor 73, the push rod .36 and the cooperating parts thereof are adapted to be acsuitable electric motor 86 connected to the vertically movable power shaft 48 through the medium of certain gearing with right and mechanism mounted on the trolley carriage as will now be described. 87 indicates a ack shaft mounted in a pair of bearings 88 ad 9 b joining the motor and in a main bearing 89 mounted in and projects up above the bear ing 94 and has fixed to it a pinion 95 meshing with a spur gear 96 revolubly mounted on top of the bearing 94. This spur gear 96 is formed with a central squared opening through which is slidably mounted the upper portion of the squared vertically movable power shaft 48. From this construction it will be apparent that by the operation of the motor 86, the push rod can be forced downwardly and raised as desired in the operation of stripping the mould from the ingot.

In the operation of the device, the operator upon the trolley carriage moves the crane bridge and the trolley carriage until the strip per-head 12 is in vertical alignment with themould 33, containing the ingot, mounted upon the car 97, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. When this position has been reached, the relative parts of the stripper-head 12 are in the position shown in Fig. 5.

The motor 73, and its co-related parts, serve as a dynamic brake which when released by operation of the motor, will allow the stripper-head, although of slightl less weight than the counter-balance Weight, to descend by gravity due to the particular ratio of the gears comprising the operating mechanism on the trolley carriage. The motor 73 is now operated to permit of the lowering of the stripper-head, and as it is lowered, the motor 86 is also operated to rotate the power shaft 48 which in turn actuates the screw 42, causing the cam block 23 to move downwardly, so as to allow the cam pins 24 to move inwardly and the mould grasping arms to swing downwardly and inwardly under their own weight into engagement with the mould beneath the grip 32. The motor 73 is then reversed to draw the mould grasping arm 28 up beneath the grips 32 in order to firmly grasp the mould between the arms, and also to lift the mould during'the stripping operation. \Vhile the mould is being lifted, the motor 86 is continued in operation to force the push rod 36 downwardly until it comes into engagement with the top of theingot as shown in Fig. 6,

and then as the mould is being raised slowly,

the push rod 36 continues in its downward movement until it expresses the ingot from the mould, thus leaving it in position upon the car 97 to be hauled away.

As hereto stated the screw 42 is formed left hand threads 43, and 44 respectively, which may be of any desired pitchto produce the best results, but I prefer the pitch of the left hand threads to be greater than those of the right hand threads, so that the push rod 36 downwardly at a greater rate of speed than may be actuated the screw 42, thus economizing'in the time of the stripping operation.

After the mould has been stripped from the ingot, it is carried over and posltloned on another car similar to the one indicated by the numeral 97 by lowering the stripperhead 12 bodily, until the mould grasping arms are released from their grip beneath the. grip 32 of the mould. The motor 86. is then reversed to force the screw 42 and the push rod 36 upwardly. As the cam block 23 moves upwardly, the. cam block with its shoulders 22 will force the cam pins outwardly into contact with the rounded portions 27 of the mould grasping arms, and as the cam block continues to move upwardly, the mould grasping arms will be swung outwardly with the original position shown in Fig. 5.

Should the operator fail to'shut off the operation .of this motor 86, and the consequent upward movement of the relative parts within the stripper-head, the safety rod 50 will be carried upwardly into engagement with the bottom end of the squared power shaft 48, and as it continues to be moved upwardly will force the squared power shaft upwardly through the spur gear 96 until the lower end of the latter is raised out of the squared opening into the upper circular opening of the sleeve 46, as shown in Figs. 7 and 12, and thus permit the power shaft 48 to revolve without imparting any furtherrotary movement to the actuating screw. By this means, it will be apparent that the safety rod will automatically operate to disconnect the power from the actuating screw before the cam block under any circumstances could strike against the bottom flange of the bushing 15 and cause a. jamming of the various relative coacting parts within the stripper-head, as is usual in all known forms of stripper mechanism.

In the event the safety mechanism is actuated, the dust cap 52 can be quickly removed, the sheared pin 49 taken out, the squared shaft rotated and dropped into normal position within the squared opening in v From the foregoing description, taken in v connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that 'I have provided a stripper mechanism which is positive in operation, of strong and durable construction, and which can be operated by a minimum number of controls, Yll. four, in a more quick and ready manner than any known stripper mechanism.

\Vhile I have described the principleof operation of the invention together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that such changes in construction may be made when desired as are within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. Ingot stripping mechanism comprising a traveling crane bridge, a trolley'carriage mounted thereon, stripper mechanism depending from said trolley carriage, and embodying mould grasping means and ingot expressing means, a motor for actuating the mould grasping means and the ingot expressing means independently of each other, and another motor for raising and lowering the stripper mechanism.

2. Ingot stripping mechanism comprising a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, stripper mechanism depending from said trolley carriage, and embodying mould grasping means andingot expressing means, means for counterbalanc-- ing the weight of said stripper mechanism,-

and a single motor for actuating the ingot expressing means and the coacting mould graspmg means. v

3. Ingot stripping mechanism comprising a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, stripper mechanism depending from said trolley carriage and embodying mould grasping means and ingot expressing means, a motor for actuating the last two named means independently of each other, and safety means adapted to automatically prevent the ingot expressing means from jamming in its operation.

4; Ingot stripping mechanism comprising a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, a housing suspended from the trolley carriage and embodying two compartments, a stripper-head vertically movable Within one compartment of said housing, power mechanism mounted on the trolley carriage including a pair of motors, rigid means connecting said stripper-head to said power mechanism, whereby when one motor is actuated the stripper-head will be lowered and raised, a counterbalance weight vertically movable within the other compartment of said casingpand rigid means connecting said counterbalance weight to said power mechanism, whereby when the other motor is actuated, the counterbalance weight will be raised and lowered to counterbalance the weight of said stripper-head.

5. In ingot stripping mechanism, a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, a housing rigidly suspended from the trolley carriage, a stripper-head embodying a push rod and a pair of mould grasping arms arranged for vertical sliding movement in said housing. power actuating mechanism mounted on said trolley carriage, rigid means connecting said stripper-head to said power mechanism. adapted to be actuated by the latter to lower and raise the stripper-head, and a power shaft connection between said stripper-head and. said power mechanism,

adapted to be actuated by the latter to opcrate the push rod and also automatically operate the mould grasping arms of said stripper-head.

6. In ingot stripping mechanism, a travel ing crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, a housing rigidly suspended from the trolley carriage, a stripper-head embodying a push rod and a pair of mould grasping arms arranged for vertical sliding movement in said housing, power actuating mechanism mounted on said trolley carriage, non-flexible means connecting said stripper-head to said power mechanism, adapted to be actuated by the latter to lower and raise the stripper-head, and a power shaft detachably connected at its lower end to said stripperhead and slidably connected to said power mechanism adapted to be actuated by the latter to operate the push rod and the mould grasping arms of said stripper-head.

7. In ingot stripping mechanism, a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, power mechanism embodying pinions arranged on said trolley carriage, a stripper-head embodying a push rod and a pair of mould grasping arms, rack bars having their lower ends connected to said stripper-head and their upper ends engaging the pinions of said power mechanism, a shaft connected between said stripper-head and said power mechanism whereby the push rod and mould grasping armsof the stripper-head may be operated upon actuation of said shaft by said power mechanism.

8. In ingot stripping mechanism, a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, power mechanism embodying pinions arranged on said trolley carriage, a

shaft interposed between the stripper-head and said power mechanism for actuating the stripper-head and the stripping means from said power mechanism.

9. In ingot stripping mechanism, a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, power mechanism embodying pinions arranged on said trolley carriage, a stripper-head embodying stripping means, rack bars having their lower ends connected to said stripper-head and their upper ends engaging certain of said pinions, means carried by said rack bars for limiting. their downward movement, a counterbalance weight, rack bars having their lower ends connected to said counterbalance weight and their upper ends engaging certain other of said pinions, means carried by said rack bars for limiting their downward movement, and means for actuating the stripper-head from said power mechanism.

10. In ingot stripping mechanism, a traveling crane bridge, a trolley carriage mounted thereon, power mechanism arranged on said trolley carriage, a stripper-head, rigid means'for supporting said stripperhead from said power mechanism, means for counterbalancing said stripper-head, power transmitting means connecting said stripperhead to said power mechanism, and safety means for automatically disconnecting said power transmitting means under certain operating conditionsfor the purpose set forth.

11. In an ingot stripper. the combination of a stripper-head, mould grasping arms -pivoted to said stripper-head, a push rod movably mounted in and projecting from the stripper-head, actuating means arranged within the stripper-head for moving said push rod, means carried by said actuating means for controlling the operating movement of said mould grasping arms, and a power shaft connected to said push rod actuating means.

12. In an ingot stripper, the combination of a stripper-head, mould grasping arms pivoted to said stripper-head, a push rod longitudinally movable in and projecting from the stripper-head, actuating means' mounted within the stripper-head for moving said push rod, means carried by said actuating means for controlling the operating movement of said mould grasping arms, a power shaft connected to said push rod actuating'means, and safety means for automatically disconnecting said power shaft under certain operating conditions.

13. In an ingot stripper. the combination of a stripper-head, mould grasping arms pivoted to said stripper-head, a push rod longitudinally movable in and projecting from the strippenhead, actuating means mounted within the stripper-head for moving said push rod, means carried by said -n1eans slidably mounted in said body portion,

and means carried by said push rod actuating means. adapted upon actuation of the latter to actuate said mould graspingarm engaging means to open and close said arms.

15. In an ingot stripper, a stripper-head comprising a body portion, mould grasping arms pivoted to opposite sides of said body portion, a push rod vertically movable in and projecting from said body portion, means arranged in said body portion for actuating said push rod, pins slidably mounted in the body portion below the pivotal connection of said mould grasping arms and adapted to engage the latter, and means carried by the push rod actuating means adapted to engage said pins upon its actuation to open and close the mould grasping arms.

.16. In an ingot stripper, a stripper-head comprising a body portion, mould grasping arms pivoted to opposite sides of said body portion; a push rod vertically movable in and projecting from said body portion means arranged in said body portion for actuating said push rod, cam pins slidably mounted in the body portion below the pivotal connection of the mould grasping arms, cams carried by said push rod actuating means adapted upon actuation of the latter'in one direction to engage said cam pins and open the mould grasping arms, and adapted upon actuation of the push rod actuating means in the opposite direction to release said cam pins and allow the mould grasping arms to close by gravity.

17 In an ingot stripper, a stripper-head comprising a body portion formed with a vertical centrally disposed bore having a reduced right-hand threaded upper portion,

an actuating screw having its upper and cam block to force them into engageme-titwith bushing fixed in the upper reduced portion of said bore, an actuating screw having its upper and lower ends formed with right and left hand threads respectively, the upper end being threaded into the said bushing, a cam block threadedly connected to the lower end of said actuating screw for vertical sliding movement in the lower portion of .said bore, a push rod connected to and movable with said cam block, mould grasping arms pivoted to the opposite sides of the stripper-head,

and cam pins slidably mounted through the wall of the bore below the pivotal connection of said arms and adapted to engage and force the arms outwardly when actuated by the cam block.

19. In an ingot stripper, a stripper-head comprising a body portion formed with a vertical centrally disposed bore having a reduced internally right hand threaded upper portion, an actuating screw having itsupper and lower portions provided with right and left hand threads respectively, the upper end being threadedly mounted in said upper reduced portion of the bore, a block threaded on the lower portion of said actuating screw for vertical sliding movement in the lower portion of said bore, cam shoulders carried by said block on opposite sides arranged for sliding movement in vertically disposed grooves formed in the wall of the larger portion of the bore, a push rod fixed to the lower end of the said block, mould grasping arms pivoted to the opposite sides of the stripper-head, cam pins slidably mounted through the wall of the bore and extending into communication with said vertically disposed grooves,

whereby when said cam shoulders move upwardly in said vertical grooves, they will force the cam pins outwardly into engagement with and open the mould grasping arms.

20. In an ingot stripper. the combination of a stripper-head, an actuating member vertically movable therein, a power shaft detachably connected to the upper end of said actuating member. a safety member, and means for supporting said safety member within said actuating member and adapted to be actuated by the latter to disconnect the power shaft from the actuating member at a predetermined time.

21. In an ingot stripper, the combination of a stripper-head comprising a body portion formed with a vertical centrally disposed bore having a reduced internally right hand threaded upper portion, an actuating screw having its upper and lower portions provided with right and left hand threadsrespectively, the upper end being threadedly mounted in said upper reduced portion of the bore, said actuating screw having a central opening throughout its length, a non-rotating cam block, internally threadedly for the reception of the lower portion of the actuating screw sli dably mounted in thelarger portion of the bore of the stripper head, the threaded bore of said cam block extending downwardly from the top thereof to a point adjacent its bottom, a safety rod supported within said actuating screw by said. cam block, a push rod connected to the lower end of said cam block, a power shaft and means for connecting the power shaft to the npperend of the actuating screw, whereby when the actuating screw is moved upwardly beyond its normal position, said safety rod will operate to disconnect the power shaft from the actuating screw.

22. In a stripper-head, the combination of an actuating screw having a central opening extending throughout its length and formed externally with right hand threads on its upper portion and left hand threads on the lower portion of a greater pitch than the aforesaid threads, anon-rotating cam block internally threaded for the reception of the lower end of said actuating screw, a safety rod supported by the cam block within the actuating screw, a power shaft, means for connecting said power shaft to the upper end of the actuating screw, whereby when the actuating, screw is moved upwardly, beyond a given point, the safety rod'will be forced upwardly and operate to disconnect the power shaft from the actuating screw.

23. In a stripper-head, the combination of a right hand and left hand threaded actuating screw formed at its upper end with a reduced squared end and provided centrally throughout its length with an opening, a sleeve fixed on said squared end, said sleeve being provided with a squared opening extending through a portion of the sleeve and terminating in a circular opening at its upper end, a squared power shaft normally seated within the squared sleeve opening, a retaining pin extending through said sleeve and power shaft, a safety rod, and means for supporting said safety rod within the actuating screw and adapted to be actuated by the. latter, whereby when the actuating screw is moved upwardly beyond a given'point, the safety rod will be carried upwardly into engagement with'the lower end of the power shaft and by its continued upward movement will shear said retaining pin and force the power shaft upwardly out of the squared opening into the circular opening of said sleeve.

24. In ingot stripping mechanism, the com bination with a trolley carriage, of a train of gears of definite ratio to each other mounted on said trolley carriage, a motor for operating said gear train, a pair of rack bars engaging certain of said gears and vertically movable through the trolley carriage, a stripper head supported by the lower ends of said rack bars below the trolley' carriage, another pair of rack bars, engaging certain other gears of said gear train and vertically movable through the trolley carriage, and a counter-balance Weight connected to the lower ends of said last named pair of rack bars, the Weightof said counter balance 10 weight and the ratio of the gears in said gear train being such that the stripper head is adapted to descend under its own weight when the said operating motor, which acts as a dynamic brake, is released.

r 15 In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

ELGY J. GEORGE. 

